Jan Stephenson, 31, from Australia, became the third foreigner to win the Women's Open. She finished one stroke ahead of JoAnne Carner and Patty Sheehan in sweltering heat at the Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Despite daily temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, Miss Stephenson shot rounds of 72-73-71-74—290, six over par. Previous foreign champions were Fay Crocker, of Uraguay, who won in 1955, and Catherine Lacoste, of France, the 1967 Champion. Miss Sheehan and Betsy King shared the first-round lead, at 71.

Miss Stephenson's round of 72 included a 6-iron shot for an eagle 2 on the 11th. She was tied with six other players, including former Women's Open Champion Pat Bradley. Defending Champion Janet Anderson shot 82 and missed the cut the following day. Mrs. Carner opened with an 81, which left her in 101st place. Miss Sheehan matched par 71 in the second round, giving her 142 for 36 holes and a three-stroke lead over Miss Stephenson, Debbie, Meisterlin, Dot Germain, and Lauren Howe, all tied for second place at 145. Mrs. Carner shot 70, for a total of 151.

The day's low round was a 69 by 18-year-old Heather Farr, of Phoenix, Arizona. Miss Stephenson shot a consistent 71 in the third round and assumed the lead, at 216, three over par. Two strokes back, at 218, were Miss Meisterlin, with a second consecutive 73, and Miss Sheehan, who shot 76. Miss Bradley made a hole-in-one on the sixth, a 151-yard par-3, and shot 31 on the first nine. This tied the Women's Open record, set by Judy Bell, in 1964.

Miss Bradley shot 40 on her incoming nine and 71 for the day. She tied for fourth place, at 219, with Miss Howe. Mrs. Carner shot 72, for a 223 total. She continued to climb when she birdied three of the first four holes in the last round. When Miss Stephenson lost two strokes at the third hole she fell into a temporary tie with Miss Meisterlin.

Miss Stephenson regained the lead one hole later and settled down over the next 12 holes. With two holes left, she led Mrs. Carner and Miss Sheehan by three strokes and Patti Rizzo by four. Mrs. Carner finished with a 68, topped off by an off-balance wood shot from a fairway bunker that helped her salvage par at the 18th. Mrs. Carner shared second place with Miss Sheehan, who closed with a 73. It was Mrs. Carner's fourth runner-up finish in the Women's Open, a record she shares with Louise Suggs. Miss Farr was the low amateur, with 296.

A record $200,000 in prize money was awarded, including $32,780 to Miss Stephenson. The USGA accepted 414 entries.